andalib akhter/NEW DELHI
Amid the controversy over Uniform Civil Code, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reminded the people that ‘Unity in Diversity’ is the strength of the country and said that nation would move ahead with the ‘Mantra of Unity’
“इन संकटों के बीच में भी, एकता के मंत्र को ले करके आगे बढ़ना है। विविधता में एकता यही देश की ताक़त है। भाषायें अनेक हों, जातियाँ अनेक हों, पहनावे अनेक हों, खान-पान अनेक हों, लेकिन अनेकता में एकता, ये भारत की ताक़त है, भारत की विशेषता है। हर पीढ़ी का एक दायित्व है। हर सरकारों की ज़िम्मेवारी है कि हम देश के हर कोने में एकता के अवसर खोजें, एकता के तत्व को उभारें। बिखराव वाली सोच, बिखराव वाली प्रवृत्ति से हम भी बचें, देश को भी बचाएँ।”
“Unity in diversity is the strength of our country. Different languages, different castes, different attires, different food habits and despite all these, unity in diversity remains our binding strength. That is India’s great characteristic quality. Each generation has this responsibility, the governments have this responsibility to explore possibilities of integration in each corner of the country and highlight the elements of our integration. We should keep away from the idea of separatism or the attitude of separatism and also guard the country from any such ideology”, PM underlined.
Dedicating Diwali to soldiers in his 25th edition of Mann Ki Baat Programme on All India Radio Prime Minister stressed that nation has to move ahead with the ‘Mantra of Unity’ despite problems.
He said, it is the responsibility of every government to search the opportunities of unity and highlight the elements of it. The Prime minister said, people should save themselves and the country from the divisive ideas and thinking.
Greeting people on the occasion of Diwali, Mr Modi said, Diwali is now not only confined to India but governments around the world and Parliaments are celebrating the festival.
He expressed happiness over the release of postage stamp by US postal services to commemorate Diwali. Mr Modi said Diwali is a festival that is also associated with cleanliness and everybody cleans their homes.
The Prime Minister admired citizens for sending Diwali messages to armed forces and paramilitary forces personnel. He said,the way people have responded is unimaginable and they have expressed their emotions in countless forms for the Armed forces.
Mr Modi said, the Jawans are not only active in the borders but also make their presence felt in all fronts of life including natural calamities.
The Prime Minister lauded ITBP jawan Vikas Thakur who contributed hard earned salary to make his village open defecation free, ODF. Mr Modi said sublime gestures of people like Vikas Thakur have made Himachal Pradesh attaining ODF state .
He also spoke about NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and engineering students who made tribal panchayat Edamalakudy ODF by making efforts there in difficult circumstances.
The Prime Minister during his address also mentioned about landmark initiatives by the Centre like Misson Indradhanush, Power for all, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, MUDRA scheme, Stand Up India, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Mr Modi said, the schemes and programmes have eliminated the middlemen from the common man’s life.
Paying his obeisance to Guru Nanak Dev, Prime minister said his teachings are still relevant for the mankind.
Paying his tributes to Sardar Patel, he said, Patel played a pioneering role in uniting the nation. He said, Sardar Patel lived and struggled for the unity of the nation.